With all of the pick shapes and materials on offer, it’s tough to know where to start. We put together this quick guide to help you figure out which pick is best for your playing style, whether you’re laying down chunky rhythms, chasing clean precision runs, or digging into the blues.

Electric Lead

No matter the style, electric lead players tend to land in the same place: medium gauge picks that balance stiffness and flex. You need enough rigidity for clean, defined single notes, but enough give to let bends, vibrato, and slides feel natural and responsive. Too light and the pick feels loose under a lead line; too heavy and you’re fighting the string instead of playing it. From there, it comes down to material and shape, and that’s where your personal style comes in.

Tortex^® Standard Picks: Just the right amount of give for a snappy, fluid attack that’s bright, crisp, and responsive under a lead line.with an optimized matte gripping surface so that you can play with precision and confidence

Nylon Standard Picks: Warm in tone with a flexible response, Nylon Picks have a natural give that makes expressive lead techniques feel effortless.

Ultex^® Standard Picks: Ultex material projects every note with crystal clarity and high-end articulation. Perfect for when you really want those notes to cut through the mix.

Jazz III Nylon Pick: An small profile, sharp tip, and quick-release molded edge give you the speed and precision to let every note ring out with clarity. Available in warm-sounding Red Nylon or the brighter, more aggressive Black “Stiffo.”

Max-Grip^® Nylon Standard Picks: All the warmth and flex of Nylon with a specially engineered gripping surface that locks in when things get sweaty.

Ultex^® Triangle Picks: More and more popular among electric guitar players, the triangle shape’s extra surface area and three sharp, switchable tips allow for greater control and note definition. Made from Ultex material, this pick adds even brighter clarity to your leads.

Electric Pick Variety Pack: A range of materials, shapes, and gauges carefully selected for electric instruments, with plenty of options that are perfect for singing lead tones.

Electric Rhythm 

Rhythm playing is about feel, and lighter picks give you the flex you need to lock in without fighting the strings, translating to a more dynamic, natural attack. Tortex and Nylon are the classic choices here—which you prefer comes down to whether you want a brighter or warmer response.

Tortex^® Standard Picks: A bright, snappy attack and matte gripping surface that keeps your stroke consistent and controlled through every chord change.

Nylon Standard Picks: The natural warmth and smooth release of Nylon lets your strumming hand flow freely, while the raised logo grip keeps the pick locked in through heavy downstrokes.

Electric Pick Variety Pack: Curated for electric players, this pack features several options that are perfect for strummers with and without distortion.

Shredding

To play hard and fast while maintaining precision and clarity, you need a pick that lets your technique take over. Jazz and Flow shapes are the go-to here—their compact profiles and sharp tips enable fast, controlled movement and deliver clean note separation even at higher tempos, while their increased thickness keeps things stable, especially with high gain and distortion. Stick to heavier gauges, from .88 and up. If you want the same sharp tip geometry with more surface area to hold onto, the Ultex Sharp Pick is worth a try—it runs larger than the Jazz III XL, so you get that same precision with the familiar shoulder profile of the standard pick shape.

Flow^® Standard Picks: A wide angle, sharp tip, and uniform bevel allow you to fly through strings while sturdy Ultex material projects every note with volume and clarity.

Flow^® Nylon Picks: Made from nylon, this pick adds smooth, warm tone to the aerodynamic profile, focused attack, and fast release of the Flow Pick shape.

Jazz III Nylon: Compact profile keeps your attack focused and precise at high speeds, while the quick-release molded edge ensures every note cuts through with definition. Available in warm Red Nylon or the brighter, more aggressive Black “Stiffo.”

Ultex^® Sharp Picks: Sturdy Ultex material and a tapered, sculpted tip give you the control and speed to articulate every note cleanly no matter how fast or heavy the music gets.

Shred Pick Variety Pack: A carefully curated selection of picks chosen to let your technique do the talking.

Acoustic Rhythm

As with electric rhythm playing, thin picks are your friend here. They allow the natural tone of your instrument to come through and move more easily across heavier acoustic strings. They also produce that subtle, percussive texture that further enhances the rhythmic quality of your playing. Most materials work well in this context—once you’ve landed on the right gauge, it’s just a matter of finding your preferred tonal character.

Tortex^® Flex Picks: With the familiar Tortex Pick matte gripping surface and a little extra warmth and flexibility, these picks make acoustic guitars sound vibrant and full all at once..

Ultex^® Standard Picks: Ultex material brings brightness and articulation to chords, letting the natural character of your instrument come through with clarity and projection.

Herco^® Flex 50 Picks: Uniform thickness and a slip-proof grip make the Flex 50 Pick a reliable strummer that moves effortlessly across heavy acoustic strings.

Acoustic Pick Variety Pack: A selection of picks that perfectly complement the tone and playability of acoustic instruments.

Jazz

Jazz, like shredding, is all about technique. Precision and control. Sharp tips and heavier gauges are the standard here, too: they give you the clean note separation and consistent attack you need for fast runs, arpeggios, and string skips. Jazz III, Jazz III XL, Flow, and Ultex Sharp are the natural starting points. Standard shapes can do the job very well if you prefer that familiar form factor—just make sure you’re using a heavy gauge.

Jazz III Nylon Picks: A compact profile, sharp tip, and quick-release molded edge give you the control and articulation to navigate complex chord voicings and single-note runs with ease. Available in warm Red Nylon or the brighter, more aggressive Black “Stiffo.”

Jazz III XL Nylon Picks: All the precision and articulation of the original Jazz III in a larger shape. More to hold onto without sacrificing the tight, focused attack that clean playing demands. Available in warm Red Nylon or the brighter, more aggressive Black “Stiffo.”

Flow^® Standard Picks: A wide angle, sharp tip, and uniform bevel let each stroke fall cleanly off the strings with minimal drag, keeping your licks fluid and articulate even through the most intricate passages.

Ultex^® Sharp Picks: A rigid body tapering into a sculpted tip gives you pinpoint control over your attack. Ideal for arpeggios, string skips, and any passage where note separation is everything.

Bass

When playing bass with a pick, you need options that can handle the heftier strings and heavier tension. Medium-heavy to heavy gauges give you the firmness to dig in without the pick buckling under the attack, keeping your playing controlled and consistent. The Triangle shape is the natural answer, with its wider surface area giving you more to hold onto when digging into the groove.

Tortex^® Triangle Picks: The classic snappy attack and matte gripping surface with a profile ready-made to tackle the low end.

Robert Trujillo Warlord Custom Bass Pick: Two voices in one pick: a laid-back groove yields fat warmth while laying in hard allows you to cut through with aggressive definition. Tapered edges and Delrin material ensure a quick release.

Ultex^® Triangle Picks: The wide gripping surface of the triangle shape paired with Ultex material’s big, bold tone are the perfect recipe for pushing your groove through a wall of guitar distortion.

Bass Pick Variety Pack: A collection of shapes and materials that perfectly complement the low end and enhance the playability of the electric bass.

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Last month, we rolled into Anaheim for NAMM 2026 with a fresh slate of gear. From new Cry Baby, MXR, and Way Huge pedals to finely crafted picks, strings, and accessories, we’re bringing you another year full of the goods you need to expand your creative potential and elevate your performance. Check it out.

MXR^® EVH Modern High Gain Pedal

Unleash the full force of your rig with the MXR EVH Modern High Gain Pedal. Designed in direct collaboration with Eddie Van Halen in 2015, this powerhouse of a device delivers EVH High Gain tone in raw, uncompromised and crushing form. It’s searing, it’s intense, and it’s razor sharp.

Iron Maiden Killers Cry Baby^® Wah

The Cry Baby Wah was integral to the momentous Iron Maiden album Killers, escalating the tension and deepening the dark grittiness of tracks such as “Wrathchild,” “Innocent Exile,” and “Drifter.” This collector’s edition Cry Baby Standard Wah celebrates that sonic connection with an exclusive collector’s edition finish and custom tread inspired by that record.

Cry Baby^® BB535 Wah Reissue

The Cry Baby BB535 Wah Reissue is a recreation of the first commercially available modded wah. First released in 1994, it was built on extensive collaboration with the world’s top guitarists and offered players the power to shape their own sound for the first time with a frequency selector, built-in boost, and custom inductor tuned for a warm, vocal tone. This pedal is an authentic restoration of that sound and feel.

Way Huge^® Jumbo Fuzz Swollen Pickle® XXX

The most corpulent of fuzzes is celebrating its 30th spin around the sun with a sweet new take on its crushing and humongous tone. The Way Huge Jumbo Fuzz Swollen Pickle XXX seethes and simmers with high-gain saturation and fat, hairy lows, but the ever-madder mad scientist Mister Huge has made some ethically questionable but sonically enlightened tweaks to enhance your control over the pedal’s sound.

Paul Gilbert Custom Tortex® TIII Pick

The Paul Gilbert Custom Tortex TIII Pick allows the hard rock virtuoso to play hard and fast with great tone while staying in full control. Made from authentic Tortex material, the TIII combines the familiar tone and feel of Tortex Picks with the blistering speed and pinpoint precision of the Jazz III.

Max-Grip® Pick Variety Pack

Max-Grip Nylon Standard Picks bring modern precision to a classic material. Now available in a Pick Variety Pack so that you can try out an assortment of gauges to help you discover which is the right match for you.

Max-Grip® Jazz III XL Picks

Combining the speed, precision, and control of the cult classic Jazz III shape, the specially engineered gripping surface of Max-Grip Nylon Picks, the Max-Grip Jazz III XL Pick features an expanded surface area for even greater handling and maneuverability. Available in classic Red Nylon, Black Stiffo, and cutting edge Carbon Fiber.

Hetfield’s White Fang™ Custom Flow® Picks – .88mm and 1.4mm Gauges

Hetfield’s White Fang Pick was designed in close collaboration with James Hetfield to meet his high standards and elevate his performance. This pick now comes in .88mm and 1.4mm gauges and a Pick Variety Pack that includes the full range: one each of .73, .88, 1.0, and 1.4mm gauges and two of the 1.14mm gauge. Also available in .73mm, 1.0mm, and 1.14mm gauges. All gauges available in Player’s Packs, refill bags, and pick tins.

Frank Bello Hybrid Nickel Wound Bass Strings

Frank Bello demands clarity and punch when plucking out his fast, aggressive grooves while holding down the low end for seminal thrash masters, Anthrax. This custom handpicked set of bass strings combines our Hybrid Nickel Wound and Standard Nickel Wound designs for clarity, punch, and a fat bottom up and down the neck.

Stainless Steel Tonebars

Dunlop Stainless Steel Tonebars are made from high-quality stainless steel for exceptional tone and long life. Proudly crafted in the USA, they’re highly polished to deliver crystal clear tone and glide smoothly along your strings. In 2026, we’re expanding the line to offer a complete range of options so that any player can find just the right size.

Moonshine® XL Slides

Individually hand-formed to withstand years of regular use, Moonshine Ceramic Slides produce a rich, full, resonant tone with soulful texture and thick, blooming notes. The naturally porous interior absorbs finger moisture, enhancing grip and control without sacrificing comfort. Now available in an XL size.

Mudslide® XL Slides

Individually hand-formed to withstand years of regular use, Mudslide Porcelain Slides hit the sonic sweet spot between glass and brass: rich, smoky warmth with clear definition and presence. The naturally porous interior absorbs finger moisture, enhancing grip and control without sacrificing comfort. Now available in an XL size.

Motörhead Straps

Motörhead married punk speed & metal volume before any one else even considered such a union. The band’s unflinching dedication to music, fans, & life on the road is an ode to the soul of rock ‘n’ roll. Never give up, never sell out. With these straps, we pay tribute to Motörhead’s indelible, hell-raising legacy. Made in North America from comfortable, high-quality jacquard-woven fabric, this strap will sit comfortably on the shoulder whether—even when you’re tearing it down on stage.

Jacquard Black Strap

If you prefer the understated elegance of a black strap, then this year’s addition to the Jacquard Straps line is for you. Made in North America from comfortable, high-quality jacquard-woven fabric, the Jacquard Black Strap will sit easily on the shoulder and allow you to provide all the excitement on stage.

Jacquard Night Trip Strap

Illustrated by Simon Berndt, a.k.a. One Horse Town, this strap’s striking blacklight-reactive design comes alive when the stage lights drop. Made in North America from comfortable, high-quality jacquard-woven fabric.

Jimi Hendrix™ Foliate Strap

Jimi Hendrix redefined what it meant to be an electric guitar player, using his instrument, his hands, his effects, and most importantly his ears to concoct a brilliant synergy of sound and song that changed the listener’s entire experience. The Jimi Hendrix Foliate Strap pays tribute to that bold and inspiring legacy.

Last year, we released the MXR Randy Rhoads Distortion+, a pedal that celebrates Randy Rhoads’ revolutionary contribution to rock ’n’ roll guitar playing. The original MXR Distortion+ was a key part of his riveting sound, and our MXR engineers worked directly with sister Kathy Rhoads to ensure that this tribute would be equipped with all the components necessary to accurately recreate that sonic signature. The first run sold out quickly, leaving fans clamoring for another chance at those iconic tones. And now, it’s back.

The Randy Rhoads MXR Special Edition Distortion+ features a clean white finish with pinstripe accents, inspired by the iconic Flying V-style guitar that Randy designed after flying on a famous supersonic airliner while touring with Ozzy Osbourne. To celebrate the return of the Randy Rhoads Distortion+, we gathered an incredible lineup of musicians to talk about how Randy shaped their musical journeys: Chris Shiflett, Phil Demmel, Phil X, Pete Thorn, and bandmate Rudy Sarzo. 

In just a few short years, Randy Rhoads revolutionized the art of the rock ‘n’ roll guitar player, merging fluid, classically inspired legato passages and melodies with searing, violin-like leads and super-saturated riffs. 

One of the most crucial components of this riveting sound was the MXR Distortion+—Randy harnessed its raw energy to slam his high-gain amplifier with a torrent of harmonics to create the sonic signature that would etch an indelible mark on music history. 

We celebrate his monumental legacy with this recreation of his own MXR Distortion+. For the first time in 42 years, the Rhoads family unveiled Randy’s pedalboard for the MXR design team at the family’s music school in Los Angeles—the Musonia School of Music. There, history was made as the MXR design team carefully opened the pedalboard, closely inspecting and documenting all they could from this rock ’n’ roll artifact. The engineers painstakingly spec’d Randy’s vintage Distortion+, with the direct involvement of sister Kathy Rhoads, and created this signature model to produce the same overdriven tube-like tones heard on Randy’s most beloved hits. And, of course, it’s only fitting that it comes with a custom finish inspired by Randy’s legendary Flying V guitar.

“We are very proud of and honored by this special signature pedal. It is a true tribute to Randy’s musical legacy.” —The Rhoads Family

Kirk Hammett, Zakk Wylde, and Phil Demmel joined our celebration of Randy’s legacy, with each reflecting on their discovery of his work and how it affected them as guitar players at the start of their journeys. Check it out below.

As bass players at Dunlop, we’ve covered lots of ground. We’ve played every kind of string through effects pedals, amps, and recording setups to get the performance edge and modern voice that our gigs—and our instruments—demand.

So when we set out to create our own bass strings, we were determined to create the perfect set for ourselves, our artists, and other bass players. Right from the beginning, we knew we’d have to do something new.

WHAT MAKES A MODERN STRING?

Carving our own path meant taking a fresh approach. Instead of relying on old techniques or studying what had already been done, we began by asking what was possible. Could we make a low-tension string that delivered a bright attack and warm mids? Could we make flatwounds that were more flexible, with a wide low end and a punchy midrange fundamental?

We decided that it could be done—if we put in the work and did it our way, from the ground up. This was the beginning of a multi-year adventure.

PUSHING THE LIMITS

While we were deep in the lab, two of the world’s best players came to us looking for a modern and more expressive string. Marcus Miller’s skills as a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and composer have earned him two Grammys and the esteem of critics and musicians across genres. He knows about carving his own path, too: After playing clarinet all through college and then switching to saxophone, he realized that he wanted to play bass—not the tall, old-fashioned upright, but the electric bass guitar he was hearing in R&B, funk, and soul.

I realized that’s the thing that was driving a lot of the music,” Marcus says. “I had to fight to get to it.

Like Marcus, Robert Trujillo started out on other instruments before landing on bass. He wanted to be a drummer, but it was only after a stint on a small plastic organ that Trujillo got his hands on a hollow-body 4-string that would set him on his low-end path. “I discovered that the bass had a strong presence in bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath,” he says. Today, Robert is world famous for bringing his aggressive, grinding grooves to hard rock’s greatest acts, including Ozzy Osbourne and, of course, Metallica.